LEFT: Animal care student Irene Clarke (left), of Auckland, is autographed by social services student Moana Karauria, of Invercargill, in a contest to see how many autographs they could collect on their bodies. Irene won the contest with 32 autographs (Photo: ROBYN EDIE). RIGHT: First-year sport and recreation student Francis McLachlan drinks three shots of blended jalapeno peppers through an extra-long straw (Photo: NICOLE GOURLEY).

International student Harish Adithya, of India, gets a free meat pattie from the Westpac Bank stall. On the barbecue are, from left, Philip Taylor and Andrew Moreton.

Solomona Paraki and Tayler Adams, of the Star Rugby Club, set up the stage at SIT's Tay St campus to prepare for the start of Orientation Week. Events will take place daily at the Southern Institute of Technology campus and through the city.